Book one of our Holmfirth hotels and discover the delightful scenery and myriad attractions of this appealing town and its beautiful countryside.
Last of the Summer Wine
The longest-running British TV comedy, Last of the Summer Wine was broadcast for 39 years and attracted 18.8 million viewers at its peak. The Last of the Summer Wine tour explores the locations where the series was filmed, including Sid's Café, Nora Batty's steps, the laundrette, the cottages and the countryside. The tour guide used to own Sid's Café and was regularly involved with filming. There's also an exhibition, compiled with the help of Bill Owen, who played Compo, with photos, memorabilia and props from the show, including Compo's nightwear, his submarine and his matchbox.
Countryside
The peaceful countryside of the Holme Valley is rightly popular with walkers, cyclists and nature lovers. The Holme Valley Riverside Way is a six-mile route along the River Holme through Magdale, Holmfirth and Honley, finishing at the beautiful Digley Reservoir. Here there are two more walks – a 1.2-mile path around the edge of the reservoir, and a five-mile route through the surrounding moorland. Other places to walk include the Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, popular with birdwatchers, and Ramsden Reservoir, which has a series of paths through valleys and moorland.
Cyclists can test their mettle on the incredibly tough Holme Moss climb, which has been used in races including the Tour de France Yorkshire Grand Depart 2014. Getting to 524m above sea level is no mean feat, but you'll be rewarded with fantastic views.
Attractions
Explore the farm and meet a host of unusual animals at Hinchliffe's Farm, including pygmy goats, South American rhea, Chinese pheasants and wallabies. Take a carriage ride around the farm and visit the farm shop, the UK's first when it opened in 1929.
The Carding Shed has a collection of classic cars to admire, as well as an antiques emporium and two stores selling vintage clothing, shoes and accessories from the 1940s to the 1960s. Kids and adults can paint their own pottery at the Potters Den, which also sells jewellery and artwork.
Eating and drinking
Sid's Café – from Last of the Summer Wine – serves a varied menu, including ice cream milkshakes, homemade soup, hot roast beef sandwiches and home-baked cakes. The White Horse, in Jackson Bridge, was the pub in the series – as well as home-cooked food, including a good selection of pies, you'll find autographed photos on the walls. Another popular venue is Nick's Kitchen, a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner, which serves home-cooked breakfasts, brunches and lunches as well as dinner some evenings. For homemade Spanish-influenced food, tapas and real ales, head to the family-run Toad and Tatie, another Certificate of Excellence winner, which smokes and cures its own produce.
